Biography
James "Jim" Peck was a New York-born pacifist, civil rights activist, and journalist. As a WWII conscientious objector he refused induction in 1942; convicted under the Selective Training and Service Act and served 18 months at federal prison camps including Danbury. After the war he was one of 16 participants in the 1947 Journey of Reconciliation organized by CORE and FOR — the precursor to the Freedom Rides. He was again a Freedom Rider in 1961 and was severely beaten by Klansmen in Birmingham, Alabama on Mother's Day 1961, requiring 53 stitches. Long-time editor of the CORE-later.
Additional documented custody episode
WRL News, November–December 1981, page 3, reports that James Peck spent five days at Rikers Island rather than pay a $25 fine connected with a summer New York City protest against the neutron bomb. He had been released a few days before the October 10 opening of a retrospective about his activism. This is a separate 1981 custody episode, not part of his World War II or 1958 imprisonment. The report establishes five days actually spent in jail but does not give exact individual admission or release dates.
Friends Journal’s June 14, 1958 report says Peck initially received probation after the June 4 voyage. Its June 21 report subsequently describes all five Golden Rule protesters in Honolulu jail. These reports document changing custody stages.
Sources: Friends Journal, June 14, 1958, printed page 382 (PDF 10); Friends Journal, June 21, 1958, printed page 399 (PDF 11).
